The floor in the new Terminal C ticketing area reflects the newest addition to John Wayne Airport Sunday.

The floor in Terminal C's ticketing area reflects the newest addition to John Wayne Airport Sunday.

Greg Wells, Senior Vice President of Operations, Southwest Airlines announced that Southwest Airlines with start their international service to Mexico at John Wayne Airport.

Travelers are reflected in the floors Sunday at the newly dedicated Terminal C in John Wayne Airport.

The terminal dedication ceremonies were held in the baggage claim area of Terminal C Sunday.

The logo for John Wayne Airport is unveiled Sunday at the newly dedicated Terminal C in John Wayne Airport.

John Wayne Airport director, Alan Murphy, Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Greg Well Vice President at Southwest Airlines, Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell, Orange County Supervisor Patricia Bates and Orange County Supervisor John Moolach simulate pulling the cord that will unveil the airports logo Sunday at the newly dedicated Terminal C in John Wayne Airport.

Visitors to the dedication ceremony at John Wayne Airport walked up the as-yet-to-run escalator at the newly dedicated Terminal C in John Wayne Airport.

A visitor wanders the observation deck above the southern commuter terminal Sunday in the newly dedicated Terminal C at John Wayne Airport.

Visitors chat in the new connecting way between terminals Sunday at John Wayne Airport.

The John Wayne Airport director, Alan Murphy, opened the dedication ceremony Sunday in the newly dedicated Terminal C's baggage claim area in John Wayne Airport.

AirTran is planning to begin flights from John Wayne Airport to Mexico next year.

Workers put the finishing touches in the baggage area of the check-in counter at the newly dedicated Terminal C in John Wayne Airport.

The floor in Terminal C's ticketing area reflects the newest addition to John Wayne Airport Sunday.

Ticketing counters stand at the ready Sunday at the newly dedicated Terminal C in John Wayne Airport.

The terminal dedication ceremonies were held in the baggage claim area of Terminal C Sunday. The sign is in the area where travelers will wait in line to get to their gate.

An airport greeter is reflected on the floor Sunday at the newly dedicated Terminal C in John Wayne Airport leading to the baggage claim area.

A traveler walks past one of the new information kiosks that are part of the new Terminal C in John Wayne Airport.

An artistic bird-like airplane sculpture hanging over the baggage claim area of Terminal C has wings resembling aviation maps.

A sign announces the arrival of the newest terminal ay John Wayne Airport.

Orange County travelers no longer will have to make the trek to LAX or San Diego to fly to Mexico after John Wayne Airport starts offering direct flights to Cabo San Lucas and Mexico City next year.

Plans by Southwest Airlines to offer Mexico service through its AirTran Airways subsidiary were announced Sunday during dedication ceremonies for JWA’s Terminal C, opening today.

Terminal C includes a new customs facility that allows JWA to offer full-service international flights for the first time. (Current JWA travelers to Vancouver clear customs in Canada.) Officials said Mexico service could begin as soon as next June.

Greg Wells, Southwest senior vice president of operations, said that international service will be a first for his airline, too.

He noted Southwest has only been a domestic carrier. However, the airline’s recent acquisition of Atlanta-based AirTran, which flies to Mexico and other international destinations, provides Southwest with the opportunity to expand overseas.

During a Terminal C media preview last week, JWA Airport Director Alan Murphy said no airline had been secured to provide Mexico service. The Board of Supervisors, however, approved a $300,000 rent credit and other incentives, which made the cost of providing the international service more attractive.

The board action allots three JWA slots to Mexico. Murphy said officials would not know until December if any other airline would bid for the third slot.

Murphy said he was particularly pleased with the destinations Southwest selected because Cabo would be popular with leisure travelers while Mexico City could attract both leisure and business passengers.

County Supervisor John Moorlach, who attended the ceremonies, noted the Mexico flights will be a real boost for Orange County tourism.

Mexico ranks first among international visitors to Orange County. Last year, 890,000 Orange County tourists came from Mexico, according to CIC Research.

“Travelers from Mexico who come to Orange County stay about a week and spend a lot of money,” Moorlach said. “This is really good.”

Southwest officials said they would have to wait until they get Department of Transportation approval for the service before they will be able to announce the Mexico flight schedule or fares.

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